Friday Night Lights - how the music makes it special

January 12, 2009 / Filed under: Television, Football, Music

I've become a huge fan of the TV series Friday Night Lights, which I've been following via Netflix. I just wrapped up Season 1, and eager to get started on Season 2.

For those unaware, Friday Night Lights is about high school football players in the heart of Texas football country. The series focuses in on Dillon, Texas, and the local high school team - the Dillon Panthers.

I can't say enough for shattered expectations from my own initial judgements. When I first heard about this series, I assumed it would be just another version of Dawson's Creek, but with football involved. With the main characters being high school students, I imagined an over-the-top, barely believable drama about their snobbish, meaningless every-day affairs.

It turns out I was way wrong. This series is about football first. Nothing else matters to the characters, the town, and everyone portrayed. High school football is what makes the town of Dillon pump. It's in their blood, and you can really sense it.

The actors are also top-notch. They not only tackle each other on the football field, but tackle major life issues and decisions off the field as well.

These are high school kids, but they're dealing with very adult problems. In many ways they are too young to understand the breadth of their problems, but they get through by being there for each other. The adults in the show also experience their own issues, so the series is truly geared for all ages.

The show is really about life itself, and how football helps teach valuable life lessons. The integrity and determination portrayed on the field helps pave the way to important life decisions off the field.

The music

But what really makes the show special is the soundtrack. The featured artist is Explosions In The Sky, who compose instrumental songs that are absolutely mesmerizing at times. Many of their tracks are full of feeling: intensity, pain, suffering, rebirth. Just like the show presents situations that go full circle, so does the music of Explosions In The Sky.

Friday Night Lights is a perfect example of how music can make a difference. I could not imagine a better canvas for Explosions In The Sky to play on. The music fits into every aspect of the show, and is perfectly situated. From the opening credits to the very end, the music truly makes the acting and stories come alive.

Would Friday Night Lights be as good without Explosions In The Sky? Perhaps, but I wouldn't want to ever test that theory.

Comments/Mentions

# TreoBenny at 1/13/2009 6:45 am cst

Yes! I too love FNL. I have friends that follow Heroes with me, (the only other show I really follow) but they snub their nose at FNL. You are so right, it's about football through & through. Personally, I didn't get to play high school football because my dad felt I would 'get hurt.' Instead, I ran track. However, I skipped Art class one day to play basketball with my friends during their lunch period and tore my ACL, also injuring the meniscus. Mind you, I suck at roundball. Anyway, my point is that I really enjoy FNL, not only because it's well produced and the great music, but because I secretly envy that lifestyle. Where nothing matters but the next game.

A quick personal note about the music, I discovered the band Heartless Bastards thanks to a FNL episode. It was in season 1...Laila visits Riggins for the first time, detouring from her morning run. You can view the video here.